Self-care is a complex concept, similar to many of the topics that are discussed on this blog. I will break down this concept into three tiers as well as, provide an example of a multi-tiered practice of self-care that I use on a nightly basis!
1.Simplistic Self-Care is the purest tier of self-care and is also the most difficult to practice, in that it goes deeper than surface level. This level of self-care is introspective, it requires a level of self-compassion and self-awareness, it is allowing yourself to live in the grey, rather than a black and white world. For instance,
-Allowing yourself to feel multiple emotions at one time
-Feeling happy AND anxious AND regretful are all acceptable and rational feelings to have!
-Allowing yourself to cry when you are sad
-Allowing yourself to laugh and smile when you are happy
-Allowing yourself to eat when you are hungry
-Brining awareness to your fears and sitting in the discomfort of your emotions
-Having love and compassion for your flaws
-Taking care of your inner self and wellbeing
-Loving yourself for all of your flaws, inward, and outward
-Giving yourself the TIME to think and feel
-Doing what is best for you at a specific moment
-Calling to your needs
-Listening to your body and your emotional ques
2.Luxury Self-Care is the second tier of self-care and it touches more on the surface, although it is is incredibly beneficial and important to your wellbeing! Taking care of yourself in a more tangible way is just as important as taking care of your emotional well-being, in that the two usually go hand in hand. For instance,
-Getting your heart pumping and endorphins flowing through a safe and healthy practice of exercise
-Aroma Therapy
-Having that glass of wine when you need to wind down
-Painting your nails
-Reading your favorite book
-Going for a walk after work
-Having your morning cup of coffee
-Snuggling with your loved one
-A ritual practice of yoga, and meditation
3.Self-Care For You is the third level of self-care, and it is when you allow others to take care of you, as we are constantly giving and providing for others. This is also considered luxury self-care, and is JUST AS IMPORTANT as the other two tiers, for instance,
-Getting a massage
-Having someone make you dinner
-Going on a date night
-Sharing your feelings with someone
-Getting your nails done
-Having a girls night
-Going out to the movies
-Going out to dinner
-Getting a babysitter
-Getting your hair done
With all of that being said here is one way that I am able to implement a multi-tiered practice of self-care on a nightly basis!
Mindful Face Washing:
As I look in the mirror I think about all of the stresses, anxieties, and annoyances that I experienced that day, I then decipher which ones I want to shed of. I chose those instances and stressors and wipe away my makeup, and with each wipe I clear away that stress. As I lather my face with face wash I think of all of the emotions that were fostered due to those stresses and as the suds gather so do my emotions. As I collect the warm water in my hands I think of the power of letting go, and with each splash of water I cleanse away those emotions. Once the water runs clear I diligently watch as each droplet of water goes down the drain, ridding of all stress and negative emotion from the day. I then look in the mirror and pat my face dry, and with that I confirm my gratitude’s from the day.
Mindfully washing my face is just one way that I practice a multi-level of self-care! Try it tonight, and let me know how it works, and as always #selfcareitout!